Pretty Thing

"Pretty Thing" is a 1955 song written by Chess Records bassist-songwriter Willie Dixon and originally performed by Bo Diddley. The song was Diddley's third single release through Checker Records after "Diddley Daddy". The song was later released in the United Kingdom where it became Diddley's first of only two songs appearing on the UK Singles Chart, the other single being "Hey Good Lookin'".

Single track listings

US 45 RPM/78 RPM

UK 45 RPM

Recording

"Pretty Thing" was recorded by Bo Diddley on July 14, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois – the same day as "Bring It to Jerome". Producing the session were the Chess brothers – Leonard and Phil – and Bo Diddley. The performers on the song were Bo Diddley (vocals, guitar), Jerome Green (maracas), Lester Davenport (harmonica), and Clifton James (drums).

Chart performance

"Pretty Thing" was Diddley's second charter on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart reaching #4 sometime in 1956, and is Diddley's third highest charter next to "Bo Diddley/I'm a Man" (#1) and "Say Man" (#3). "Pretty Thing" reached #34 on the UK Singles Chart.

I Am

I Am may refer to:

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Ruth Wilson

Ruth Wilson (born 13 January 1982) is an English actress. She is known for her performances in Suburban Shootout (2005), Jane Eyre (2006), and as Alice Morgan in the BBC TV psychological crime drama Luther since 2010. She has also appeared in Anna Karenina (2012), The Lone Ranger (2013), and Saving Mr. Banks (2013). In 2014, she had a voice role in the film Locke and began a starring role in the Showtime series The Affair.

Wilson is a two-time Olivier Award winner, and was nominated for a BAFTA and Golden Globe for Best Actress in a mini-series for her role in Jane Eyre, as well as a Satellite Award, and won a Golden Globe for her role in The Affair.

Early life

Wilson was born in Ashford, Kent, the daughter of Mary, a probation officer, and Nigel Wilson, an investment banker. She has three older brothers, and is the granddaughter of novelist and MI6 officer Alexander Wilson and his third wife, Alison (née McKelvie). She grew up in Shepperton, Surrey, and was raised Catholic.

Wilson attended Notre Dame School, an independent Catholic school for girls located in Cobham, before attending sixth form at Esher College. As a teenager, she worked as a model, and went on to study history at the University of Nottingham, graduating in 2003. While at Nottingham, she was also involved in student drama at the New Theatre. She graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) in July 2005. Afterwards, she co-founded Hush Productions. During her time at Nottingham, she participated in the TV war strategy game Time Commanders, helping her teammates fight in the Battle of Pharsalus.

Bo Diddley

Bo Diddley (December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), born Ellas Otha Bates but changed as a child to Ellas McDaniel, was an American R&B and Chicago Blues vocalist and guitarist. In addition, he was a songwriter and music producer, usually as Ellas McDaniel, and had cameo appearances in movies. He was nicknamed The Originator because of his key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll, and rock, and influenced a host of acts, including Elvis Presley,Buddy Holly, the Beatles,The Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, Eric Clapton,The Who, Jimi Hendrix and Parliament Funkadelic.

He instigated a constant driving rhythm and biting electric guitar sound which he applied to a wide range of songs. His use of African rhythms and a signature beat, a simple five-accent clave rhythm, is a cornerstone of hip hop, rock, and pop. In recognition of his achievements Bo Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and a Grammy Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He is also recognised for his technical innovations, including his trademark rectangular guitar.

The Pretty Things

The Pretty Things are an English rock band from London, who originally formed in 1963. They took their name from Willie Dixon's 1955 song "Pretty Thing". Their most commercially successful period was the mid-1960s, although they continue to perform to this day. David Bowie covered two of their songs on his album Pin Ups.

History

Early stages

The Pretty Things were preceded by Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys, which consisted of Dick Taylor, fellow Sidcup Art College student Keith Richards, and Mick Jagger. When Brian Jones was recruiting for his own band, all three joined Brian and Ian Stewart and were dubbed "Rollin' Stones" by Jones. Taylor would briefly play bass guitar in the nascent Rolling Stones who employed a variety of drummers during 1962.

Taylor quit the Stones several months later when he was accepted at the London Central School of Art (to be replaced by Bill Wyman), where he met Phil May and they formed the Pretty Things.

Taylor was once again playing guitar, with May singing and playing harmonica. They recruited Brian Pendleton on rhythm guitar; John Stax on bass; and on drums Pete Kitley, replaced by Viv Andrews (also known as Viv Broughton) and then by Viv Prince.